Reporters' Notebooks

Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune vehemently disputed quotes by Alabama counterpart Nick Saban insinuating substandard academic standards at USF and even offered to resign if Saban's statements were true.

Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: The San Diego State faculty senate requested further review of a proposal that would abolish the Aztec program after this season.

John Estus, Oklahoman: There could be trouble brewing in Dallas. Oklahoma fans might have trouble purchasing beer at the Texas-Oklahoma game in the Cotton Bowl.

Jorge Milian, Palm Beach Post: Finally, the Rock has come back to Miami. Dwayne Johnson donates $1 million to the Miami Hurricanes.

Heather A. Dinich, Baltimore Sun: A hit by Rutgers safety Joe Lefeged on Maryland's Jordan Steffy that resulted in the quarterback suffering a concussion was illegal, according to the Atlantic Coast Conference. No penalty was called on the play.

Rick Maese, Baltimore Sun: Mitch Wilkens, the Duke video coordinator who broke ACC policy by providing Rutgers with game film of Maryland, said: "I definitely feel bad about it. It's something I shouldn't have done."

A.J. Carr, Raleigh News & Observer: Computer science professors Vince Freeh of North Carolina State and David Lowenthal of Georgia have developed what they call the "Victory Forecast" system that predicts what percentage a team has of winning on every down during a game.

Darren Sabedra, San Jose Mercury News: Stanford quarterback T.C. Ostrander won't play against USC after suffering a seizure in a Palo Alto restaurant.

Phil Stukenborg, Commercial Appeal: Memphis played its third game in 11 days and defeated Marshall in an emotion-filled contest only two days after the shooting death of Tiger defensive lineman Taylor Bradford.

Eric Crawford, Louisville Courier-Journal: A book about the 1962 Kentucky team is part “Junction Boys,” part “Brokeback Mountain.”

Robbie Andreu and Lise Fisher, Gainesville Sun: Florida safety Tony Joiner's status with the team is uncertain after his arrest for felony burglary of a business.

Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech starting linebacker Kellen Tillman was suspended after his arrest on a marijuana possession charge.

Mark Snyder and Michael Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press: Michigan receiver Mario Manningham is not expected to play Saturday against Eastern Michigan after violating a team rule. Was it for doing the worm?

Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press: Michigan coach Lloyd Carr wants to reduce the number of plays in games.